Join in and Get Creative at Sandy Lane Shopping Centre

Local people of all ages can Get Creative and help create artwork to brighten up Sandy Lane Shopping Centre.

West Lancashire Borough Council Arts Services and The Friends of Sandy Lane have been successful with an Arts Council England (ACE) funding bid of £15,000.

They will be using some of this money to create artwork to make the shopping centre more colourful. The Park Children’s Centre; Beacon View Residential home; St Richards Primary School; West Lancashire Community High School; Divine Days and Age UK are all involved with the project. Artists One Red Shoe and creative writer Sarah Schofield will be working with them and providing opportunities for the general public to get involved.

A free family fun day has been planned for Saturday 30 April from 10.30am–4.30pm. There will be vintage and handmade stalls including live entertainment. Free creative sessions will take place at Unit 63 Sandy Lane Centre, providing a range of exciting opportunities, for all ages to try out new skills.

One Red Shoe, inspired by images of old Sandy Lane will run sessions for people to create 3D models of mini topiary trees and decorate them. Professional writer Sarah Schofield will be encouraging the local community to share stories and hopes for the future about Sandy Lane with writing activities. Textile artist Emma Blackburn will be showing people how to produce textile plants.

All the work produced will influence the final artwork created by the artists, this will eventually be installed at the shopping centre.

Over the coming weeks the following free sessions will be available.

Sarah Schofield is running a five -week short story writing course for writers aged 16 and over, starting on Tuesday 3 May from 6pm–8pm, Unit 63 Sandy Lane Centre. Sessions will be inspired by the heritage of Sandy Lane. All abilities are welcome.

Emma Blackburn will be facilitating free fun textile workshops for families. Sessions start on Wednesday 4 May for five weeks, from 3.30pm–5pm in Unit 63 at Sandy Lane Centre.

Emma will also be running a Saturday Art Club for 8-11 year-olds, starting Saturday 30 April initially for six weeks. Sessions will run alternate Saturday afternoons from 1.30pm–3.30pm, cost is £5 per session to be paid termly. Booking and consent forms need to be completed through contacting West Lancashire Arts Development Service on 01695 571328 or email chapel.gallery@westlancs.gov.uk.

If you have any questions about any of the above workshops or are interested in booking a free stall for the fun day, or joining the Friends of Sandy Lane Group please contact Jenni Ashcroft via the number above.